AN: Hi! So. This is officially the end. I'm gonna rant a bit 'cause I'm fairly emotional right now - feel free to skip this if that's not your jam. Not to get too sappy, but I have grown very attached to these characters. They're not entirely mine, but the world and the life I've given them feel personal in a lot of ways. I started RoA in 2010, then BAtR in 2012, and now I'm ready to finish it in 2018. I'm sure the ending I originally envisioned for this has been lost in old documents and my unreliable memory. In the process of reinventing the ending ahead, I just focused on what I wanted to show of the Brucas family one last time. I'm not entirely happy with it, but still I hope it doesn't disappoint. Thanks to every one of you who has stuck around for this. Seriously, this wouldn't be possible without you guys reading and commenting along the way. Please let me know what you think. Much love.
―J.
Breakin' All The Rules
Tomorrow's So Far Away
"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go."
―T.S. Eliot
-xx-
The house feels more alive now. And not just because there's 4 kids running and playing around with a trail of toys that extends into 3 different rooms. Brooke and Luke's home is now mostly furnished. Their art collection, which was mostly curated by Peyton and includes some of Matt's paintings, decorates the walls.
"TAKE COVER!" Emma screams, jumping over the couch and crouching next to Jax on his playmat.
Dexter and Chris pop out of the improvised tent made out of bedsheets with a nerf gun in each hand. They spot Uncle Luke hiding behind a table and start firing at him. Luke pretends to collapse after being hit. They're all completely caught up in the game until the doorbell rings.
Luke moves to get it. "Hey, live to fight another day," he jokes, "Start picking up darts, guys, it's almost lunch time."
The brooder stops cold when he finds his father standing on his doorstep. "Dad." He says, dry swallowing.
"Son." Dan flashes him his best politician smile, patting his shoulder as he steps inside. "Full house," he comments, side-eying the kids lined up in the foyer.
"I took a personal day." Luke replies, "I'm babysitting. Hey Dex, why don't you and Chris go rent a movie in the living room," Luke kneels in front of Emma. "Can you watch Jax, Em? Thanks, kiddo."
Dan grins. "I'm not the boogeyman, son. No need to send the children away."
"I know how you are with collateral damage, dad. If it's all the same, I'd rather not take any chances." Luke heads towards his office and Dan follows. "Why are you here, dad? Where's mom?"
"Your mother is on a business trip in California. Keith is with her." Dan says, eyeing the room. It's pretty plain: desk, couch, computer, a few posters and photos, and wall-to-wall shelves filled with books. His son tastes haven't matured much.
Luke nods, pursing his lips. "Ah. I take it Deb is with you then," he sits down, linking his fingers behind his head. "What's going on, dad?"
"You're my son. You've gotten married, just bought a house - a father wants to bear witness to such milestones." The way he says it almost makes it sound like he's being genuine, but Luke knows better than to fall for that. "I'm here to talk business. As you know, my campaign for governor is running smoothly. In light of that, I've had my people run some numbers, and it turns out you're primed for a run at mayor this next term."
Luke bursts out laughing. "Are you shitting me? You have to be."
"Your mother and I have dedicated our lives to building an empire together. Something great that we can pass to our children. You are my firstborn son, Lucas. This is your legacy. This is your birthright. You've always wanted to do something that matters. When you were a kid, it was easy. You could run the ball and make the shots, and you were a God because of it - it was like that in Tree Hill and it was like that at Duke. Grasping at fame with your little books and screenplays has been an adequate attempt, but it'll never be enough. This could be the start of you being a man of influence. Nathaniel isn't smart enough to do it. Peyton doesn't have the temperment." Dan states coldly, "It's always been you."
Luke stands up. "It has never been me. You know this. I hate what you do, dad. We all do. Ever since we were kids."
"You were a petulant child then, but you are a man now." Dan waves him off. "This is what you were born to do. I have created a reputation for myself in the world of politics. Your mother has created and built her business from the ground up. It's yours for the taking, Lucas. I am giving you a change to step up here, son. You have a responsibility to this family."
Luke scoffs at that. "The fuck you think you know about family responsibility, dad? You have thrown your family under the bus for your own ambitions your whole life. So much so that you don't even see us. If you did, you'd know that Nate is easily the smartest of us all. He graduaded Summa Cum Laude with a degree in mechanical engineering and materials science, and before the draft he was fielding grad school offers from MIT, Stanford and Berkeley. And Pey? She double majored in Economics and Art History, and she finished both in five years. After college, she successfully started an art gallery, a record company and she singlehandedly launched Matt's career as a new artist in Chicago. If anyone in this family is poised to take over the family business, it's her." He shakes his head, "I have my own family now. And you're not a part of it, dad. Me, Nate, Pey - we've gotten this far in spite of you, not because of you. If it weren't for mom, you probably wouldn't even hear from us."
"You've always been too emotional. But it's a weakness that can be tempered." Dan drops a stack of files on the desk. "The research we compiled. Look it over. You can moan and cry about my parenting. But you're my son, tip to tail. I know you'll make the right choice, son. Don't worry, I'll show myself out."
Luke rolls his eyes. "Feel free to let the door hit you on the ass on the way out," he mutters.
-xx-
Nate walks into the coffee shop and glances around until he spots his friends at a corner table. "Sorry I'm late." He takes a seat next to Brooke and steals a coffee cup from the table. "God I'm totally jonesing for some caffeine right now."
"About time you got here, Moody," Brooke flashes him a smile. "These two are being nauseatingly couple-y this morning."
Rachel tosses a stirrer at her best friend's forehad. "As if we haven't had to watch you dry hump Luke in public more times than anyone can count!" She acusses with a smile. "We're happy."
"Our besties have officially moved in together," Brooke informs Nate with a cocky smile.
Nate groans, pulling out his wallet. "You fuckers couldn't have waited a week?" He slaps two hundred dollar bills on the table and Brooke grabs them triumphantly. "At least I beat Luke in the pool."
"You shitheads were taking bets?" Rachel scoffs, only mock-offended.
"Who knows her babes?" Brooke gloats, nudging Nate. "But now onto you. First weekend away with the girlfriend. Meeting the best friends and the family, all very intense. How'd it go?"
"It was fun," Nate shrugs casually. "Wedding was a good time. Emily and Spence's dad are fans. I'm sending them some swag this week. The mom was thoroughly impressed that her youngest snagged daughter Senator Scott's son, even more so after realizing I'm completely in love with Spencer. I think it went great."
Clay extends a fist out to him. "Noice!"
"Fuck," Rachel shakes her head with a smile, "look at us. We're living together, B. is a happily married woman, you're actually commited in a relationship. We really made it through to the other side of things, didn't we?"
Clay presses a kiss to the side of her head. "We're all happy at the same time. It's unusual."
"Well, then," Brooke raises her cup of tea, "more happiness to come!"
The four friends clink their cups together and drink deep. They all feel hopeful for the future. It's nice.
-xx-
"Honey, I'm home," Brooke calls out as soon as she walks through the front door. She kicks off her shoes and heads towards Jax's bedroom. She'd managed to get away early today and was hoping to not have missed bedtime.
"'Peter did not feel very brave; indeed, he felt he was going to be sick. But that made no difference to what he had to do.'" Luke is reading softly to his son as he rocks him to sleep. He's good at that, the whole bedtime routine. Sometimes he sings, other times he reads, but every time Jax drifts off peacefully without fail.
"A little young for Narnia, don't you think?" Brooke smiles, kneeling next to them on the rocking chair.
Luke flashes her a grin, "Nah." He says, "Never to young for adventure. The Princess Bride is up next."
"I love that one," Brooke presses a kiss to his lips. "You should read it to me, too."
Luke winks at her, "As you wish." He shifts Jax in his arms. "I think our boy is down for the night. Wanna tuck him in?"
"You saved the best part for me." Brooke takes their son with a smile and settles him down in his crib. "Sweet dreams, kiddo."
"C'mon. I also saved you dinner," Luke whispers in her ear, pressing a kiss to the side of her head. Brooke grabs his hand and lets him lead her downstairs.
Brooke eats on the kitchen island, sitting on one of the stools. Luke has turned out to have mad skills in the cooking deparment and tonight's gnocchi is excellent. He places a glass of wine on the counter and sits across from her. "You're officially too good for me," she declares.
"Meh," Luke shrugs, flashing her a grin. "We both know I'm the one who married way above my league."
"You have a good day with the kids? House looks intact so I'm assuming it went smoothly."
Luke clears his throat. "Kids were great. Everything was great...and then Dan showed up."
"Your dad? What'd he want?" Brooke knows full well that Dan Scott would never drop in unless he wanted something. The man was always working an angle.
"He wants me to run for mayor of New York City." Luke replies, stealing a sip from her wine. "His people ran some numbers and apparently I am primed to start my very promising political career as soon as I want."
Brooke raises an eyebrow. "Seriously?"
"It's just more of his usual bullshit. He's gotta be desperate if he's coming to me with that stuff. It's not who I am. Then again, of course he wouldn't know." Luke shakes his head, "God, can you even imagine me as a politician?"
"Hey." Brooke reaches for his hand, "Screw that. If this is something you want, you know I'll support you. No questions, 100%..."
Luke licks his lips, locks eyes with her. "But?"
"Not a but, just... Broody, ever since I've known you, you've been running away from this. You father, the politcs, the lies - you hate it. You always have. And I know how hard it is for you to silence Dan's voice in your head. But this is big. So shut off the noise and ask yourself what you really want."
Luke squeezes her hand softly. "What I want is you. Us. You asked me that before, and the answer hasn't changed. Which is what I told Dan. I'm living the life I want. He's acting like this my legacy, my one chance to do something that matters. But I already have that. You're my purpose. Our family is everything. The greatest thing I've ever done - you, me, and the kid. No question."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." Luke answers. "However, he made a solid point. The Scott name is big in politics and business. It's not the path for me. But I think Pey may want it. I FedEx-ed Dan's research over to her. Luke Scott will never be on any ballots." He shrugs, "But Peyton Saracen might be."
Brooke smiles. "I'm happy you told me about it."
"Of course," Luke shrugs casually. "Team Brucas, right?"
"Always," Brooke flashes him a dimpled smile as they high-five.
"We're really good at this," Luke says. "Being a family. We're great."
"Mmm. About what you said, about you, me and the kid being a family," she pauses for a beat, "how would you feel about that family growing?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, there's a reason I haven't touched that wine even though it's my favorite. A few weeks ago we...you know, and now I'm late. Which might not be anything. But last time that happened, well, Jax was born."
Luke walks over to her side, looking at her in amazement. "Babe, you could be..." he rests a hand on her stomach. "I love you. So much. And yes. Yes. Our family growing would be fucking amazing. I meant it, pretty girl. There's nothing I want more."
Brooke smiles. "I scheduled a doctor's appointment tomorrow. I know you have work, but-"
"Fuck work." Luke cuts her off, grinning from ear to ear. "This is more important. I can come, right?"
Brooke's already wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him in close. "Yes. Of course. I want you with me every step of the way. Together this time."
Luke kisses her, holding her tight before kneeling in front of her and pressing a kiss to her stomach. "Daddy loves you, son."
Brooke has to laugh at that, "We don't even know if I'm pregnant yet, much less if it's a boy."
"I have a feeling about it, babe."
(17 Years Later...)
"We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time."
―T.S. Eliot
-xx-
Brooke makes her way down the stairs and stumbles over a pair of shoes. The wall along the main stairwell is full of pictures - their wedding, Jake and Haley's first wedding, Peyton and Matt's wedding, the Duke graduation, Jake and Haley's second wedding, the kids' birthdays, Nate and Spencer's wedding, multiple anniversaries, Logan and Veronica's wedding; a history of their life together in photographs. The sight always makes the brunette smile, even after all these years. She snaps out of her nostalgia and steals a glance down. Of course, it's a pair of overpriced Vans that she nearly triped over. She can't quite place who they belong to so she just kicks them aside.
In the front of the house, the back hatch of the SUV is open. The cargo area is stuffed with bags and boxes, a rolled-up rug and a baseball bat, a bucket of baseballs, a new PlayStation console and an oscillating fan, a mini-fridge and a milk-crate full of emergency snacks. Brooke double checks her list to make sure they haven't forgotten anything.
It's then that Jax Scott walks out of the house with his duffel hanging off one shoulder. He's 6'5" now, towering easily over both of his parents. He has his father's blue eyes and his mother's chocolate colored hair, which is still much too long and pulled back in a messy bun. He has the Scott smirk and the Davis dimples, but his temperament resembles neither of his parents.
Jax spots his mom finishing loading the car and walks over to give her hand with the last of the boxes. "Thanks, mom," he presses kiss to her cheek as he finishes loading up his duffel and closing the trunk.
Brooke already has tears rolling down her face. "My baby boy, off to college," she sniffles.
"Ah, ma, c'mon," Jax rolls his eyes, but pulls her into a hug anyways. "It's not that far. And I'm coming back up next month for Aunt Hales and Uncle Jay's wedding anniversary party."
Luke walks out of the house carrying a bag of baseball gear, a 10-year-old boy piggybacking him. "Don't forget your training stuff, kid. Uncle Clay got you all new gear for the season." He's beaming up at his oldest son. "Y'know we're all driving down for the first game, right? Be there with bells on. Figh! Blue Devils, Fight! Blue and White!"
"I'll be sure to hit a homer for you, dad," Jax replies with a smirk. He winks at his little brother, "Bram, will you come, too? I can't win without you, bud."
Bram nods excitedly, forgetting for a minute to be sad about the fact that his big brother is moving out.
Abraham "Bram" Soto-Scott is the baby of the family, having just turned 10 a few months ago. Bram was born in Cuba, and Brooke and Luke had adopted him when he was just 4-years-old. Deciding to adopt a kid was the most natural thing in the world for them. They'd always wanted a big family and they were all too aware that family didn't begin or end with blood. As soon as they laid eyes on Bram, they both just knew - he was their boy. Bram's dark auburn curls are always falling over his eyes, but he refuses to let anyone cut them. He's an avid reader, like both of his parents, and when his head's not buried in a book, he's usually playing outside. The boy can't commit to one sport, instead playing for a different team nearly every season.
"Will you come watch my games, Jackie?" Bram asks with wide eyes.
Jax raises his pinkie towards him and they pinky-swear. "I'll definitely catch a few of your games this season," he says. "Te lo prometo." (The whole family had learned Spanish after Bram moved in. By now they were all fluent.)
Luke sets Bram down. "Go check if your mom needs any help, please." He steals a glance at his watch and sighs. "Where are the Tornado Twins? We're gonna be late."
As if on cue, the twins come running out of the house.
"We're here!" Freddie has a duffel bag hanging off each shoulder.
Fredrerick "Freddie" Scott is the oldest twin by about 4 1/2 minutes. His bright red hair is perpetually messy, mostly because Freddie's main habit is running his fingers through it. The boy is nearly always moving, though he's athletic enough that it doesn't come across as fidgeting - more like he's a perpetual motion machine. It's why he's the best basketball player in the state. When Rachel first saw Freddie's ginger hair, she declared herself his godmother. It seemed only right, since they were the only redheads in the family.
Addie follows him, not carrying a thing. "Keep your pants on, Slugger. We got plenty of time."
Adelaide "Addie" Scott takes mostly after her father - blonde hair, blue eyes, enticing smirk - but with her mother's dimples. She's charming and cheery and naughtily funny. Despite being the youngest twin, she's bolder and brasher than both of her older brothers. (Brooke happily claims that she gets that from her.) While Freddie shines on the basketball team, Addie is the star on the soccer field.
The Davis-Scott family is headed back to Durham after so many years away. Jax is the top freshman recruit for the Blue Devils' baseball team. Brooke and Luke are doing the rite of passage of driving him down to college to help him settle in. The twins are eagerly tagging along, partly to help Jax settle into his new dorm, but also because they're gonna be seniors this year. The Blue Devils (and about 15 other schools) are already scouting Freddie for the next year. The Tar Heels from UNC are scouting Addie for their soccer team. Plus, it's never too early to have Bram look around at possible colleges.
Luke wraps an arm around his wife's shoulders and kisses the side of her head. "We did good, babe."
"We did great." Brooke is still tearing up, even more now that she's watching her 4 kids joke around together one last time while they all live under the same roof. "I don't know if I'm ready for this."
"You are - we are." Luke assures her. "We raised them right. Plus we have Freddie and Addie home for one more year. After that, we have Bram. Our nest is far from empty. And they'll always need us, especially when they get into their twenties."
"I hope so." Brooke sighs, grabbing the last box off the floor. "Guys, come on, your Aunt Haley brought supplies yesterday," she starts handing out plastic containers. "Blue tops are for Jax, peanut butter cookies. Green tops are for Freddie, oatmeal cookies with white chocolate. Red tops are for Addy, chocolate chocolate chip. Yellow top is for Bram, a special batch of snicker-doodles."
"No fighting, everyone should have more than enough for the drive over." Even as Luke says this, the kids are all trading cookies back and forth, chuckling amongst themselves as they pile into the car.
Brooke shakes her head laughing, "I cannot believe I just gave them control of the cookies."
Luke kisses her again, "C'mon, I'm driving." He sighs, "Been a long time since any of us were at Duke."
The next generation had spread out to other states when it came time to go to college. Dexter had gone to the U-Penn and gotten his bachelor's as a nurse, now working in Chicago. Emma went to Bowdoin in Maine, then she came home to do her master's at Yale. Christopher did two years at NYU before joining the New York Fire Department as their most promising Probie.
"Looks like we'll have two kids back in Durham next year," Brooke realizes. "Assuming Freddie doesn't change his mind, of course. And then one at UNC, since Addie has stubbornly decided that by this time next year she'll be rocking that Carolina blue."
"That'll be an interesting rivalry," Luke purses his lips. "God, we were so committed to it back then. Remember when we stole that ugly statue from their old campus?"
Brooke shakes her head laughing. "Don't give Jax any ideas. The boy doesn't need any help in the mischief department." She sighs, "Y'know, when the time comes, I hope Bram goes somewhere close, too. I like them all being close to one another, close to us. They all function better together." She smiles, wrapping her arms around her husband. "I love you, Luke Scott."
"I love you more, Brooke Scott," Luke kisses the top of her head.
